It can be unsafe to keep old prescriptions or get rid of them the wrong way. Improper disposal of medications, especially pain medicine or antibiotics, can result in:
- Pollution
- Resistance to antibiotics (they do not work as well)
- Poisoning
- Drug misuse (by accident or on purpose)
Drop-Off Sites
The FDA says you may safely flush pain medicine (pills and patches) down the toilet if a safe drop-off is not nearby. This keeps children, pets, and other people safe.
Flushing
The FDA says you may safely flush pain medicine (pills and patches) down the toilet if a safe drop-off is not nearby. This keeps children, pets, and other people safe.
Trash
To throw away antibiotics and other medications:
- Remove them from their original package.
- Put them in a sealed container (such as a zipped bag or empty jar) with coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter and put them in the trash.
- Be sure to seal it so that the drug does not leak out.
Source:
Prescription Drug Disposal Locations Are Now on Google Maps (Fortune)
Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines (FDA)
